5 bedroom house

Cooks Farm is a Somerset longhouse that has had an exceptional design makeover and extension from RIBA award winning architect Graham Bizley of prewettbizley.com.



A real bonus is that Cooks Farm is unlisted so remodelling has resulted in a home that combines period details such as flagstones and inglenook fireplaces together with a light-filled contemporary and large open-plan kitchen/ sitting/dining room with stunning views.Originally a six-bedroom house, part of the renovation work was to convert it into a three-bedroom, three-bathroom main house and a two-bed annexe cottage. This configuration works very well with separate entrances, but can easily be made into one house by opening-up one door. Initially a typical Somerset longhouse, Cooks Farm now has the cosy original reception rooms (both with flagstones and large inglenook fireplaces) linking to the very spacious light-filled large family room. This new space has a wall of glass (sliding doors) opening onto a deck with 180 degree views of beautiful uninterrupted open countryside. A great house for chefs, this new area has a very decent sized larder split into two: a cold room and a large walk-in storage area. Another useful part of this new building is the boot-room by the main door. A clever reconfiguration of a previous reception room has now become a very large utility room with a wall of cupboards and WC.The main house has two wood burners and an AGA which means the central heating is used sparingly. The house is great for people who love original period features such as the fireplaces, window seats with shutters and fabulous medieval exposed elm boarding, but who also want a house that was bright and spacious with a view. The new part of the building has provided exactly this and the attention to detail of the design has involved creating a sloping ceiling that soars to a double-height pinnacle encompassing the extra glazed triangular windows. They in turn flood the room with light and definitely distinguish this building from your average extension. Due to the south-facing aspect a clever angular roof was built over the decking to reduce glare from the sun in the summer months, but which can be a real benefit for solar gain in the winter.The two original reception rooms are full of character with inglenook fireplaces and windows seats and provide the cozy winter or night time rooms.



The upper level of the the main part of the house was reconfigured to provide a master-suite designed with privacy in mind. These rooms are accessed from the landing via the good-sized dressing room which gives a feeling of a private wing. The dressing room leads into bathroom with; original claw-foot bath; large modern walk-in shower, and a window seat with a view to Beacon Hill opposite, when not obscured by the stunning Magnolia tree just outside the window.There are also two further bedrooms with ensuite bath/shower rooms.The annex, originally a cider barn, can be accessed internally or externally and has an open plan kitchen/sitting room/dining room with a wood burner and two bedrooms; one double bedroom, one single and a new family shower room.



A lighting designer was employed during the building works to ensure this fabulous property would always be seen in its best light. In addition, an award-winning bespoke carpenter built and designed the eaves' storage and shelving in the master bedroom with the aim of turning this into a light-filled and cosy sanctuary with great views. The rest of the clutter and storage can go in the generous sized-sized dressing room.



Outside



The front of this property which borders the quiet lane looks exactly as it always would have, a typical Somerset farmhouse, but around the back is a real wow factor- the new part of the property is larch clad - and with its soaring roof, looks like a grand piano.The property is accessed by a driveway that goes between the house and a stone barn, with garage doors that with any necessary planning permission is ripe for conversion. Currently it is used as a large storage room. Behind the house is a large area of gravel for parking and a larch-clad carport with cat-slide roof with bays for two cars, plus a working home office. One of the windows in this room has great views over the garden and is adjacent to a newly terraced area with glazed balcony- a perfect spot for evening sun. On a lower level is a very large vegetable and fruit growing area with substantial raised beds and a very elegant new greenhouse. The veg area is adjacent to an area of lawn with a children's play area on the other boundary. The new extension has a large deck that has fabulous views and steps down lead to an area of lawn and mature flower beds. In addition there is another terraced area next to the main lawn, so the sun can be followed through the day at the different seating areas. The rest of the garden is sizeable with mature trees, including apples, oak and walnut. The very end of the garden has a newly terraced seating area that borders onto open fields giving fabulous uninterrupted views. Being at the foot of Beacon Hill means that Cooks Farm is very protected from road noise.



Situation



One of the aspects about living in this village that the current owners particularly love are the walks. There is Dundon Beacon which is opposite the house and is a nature reserve, ancient oak woodland and site of an Iron- Age fort and few minutes' walk is Lollover Hill which is like a mini Glastonbury Tor with views for miles around.For more information visit Farm is right on the edge of the village so is blessed with tranquility, but is also walking distance to amenities such as the village hall, church and pub, Post Office and playground. Compton Dundon is a very active village due to it large and new village hall which hosts all sorts of events and classes.



Somerton is just a few minutes away which is a picturesque town, originally the county town of Somerset and before that, possibly the capital of Wessex. Its focal point is the wide 17th Century Market Square with a Buttercross in the centre. The parish church, dedicated to St. Michael, is quite plain externally but contains one of the finest wooden roofs in the county carved by the monks at Muchelney Abbey. Somerton offers all the usual amenities of a market town, bars/restaurants and has a small independent supermarket. There are good levels of amenities including local, independent shops which you might like to explore throughout the town with quaint cafes where you can spend a day relaxing. Somerton also offers a bank, library, doctor and dentist surgery; there are also several public houses, restaurants, churches and primary schools within the town. Of particular note are the Number 28 restaurant/cafe/artisan bakery and the White Hart gastro pub as well as the Craft Chocolate Shop. The Old Town Hall now houses the ACE Arts Gallery and craft shop who present a varied, stimulating programme of exhibitions and related events throughout the year.



For more information visit 5 minutes' drive in the other direction is the town of Street which is famed for Clarks Village shopping, but also has a Sainsburys and the very good Strode Theatre/cinema. Other local facilities can be found at Glastonbury-15 mins away ( Minor injuries hospital) , Castle Cary - 25 mins, Bruton -30 mins, Wells -25 mins.



Schools



Cooks Farm is less than 5 mins drive from Millfield Senior school which is in Street and so is ideal for swimming families. Street also offers the excellent Strode Sixth form college.Other local schools include King Ina Primary in Somerton, nearby Charlton Mackrell primary, Butleigh C of E primary school , Baltonsborough Primary and Crispin Senior School Street. Other Independent schools include Hazelgrove Prep school, the Taunton schools, Kings Bruton, Wells Cathedral School and Sherborne Boys and Girls schools.



Location



Transport links are good with a 10 minute drive to the A303 linking to London and the Southwest. Castle Cary railway station is just 11 miles away and offers an excellent direct rail service to London in less than two hours. The M5 is just approximately 25 mins.



Tenure - Freehold

Council tax - Band E

Services - Mains drainage, electricity and water. Oil CH.



Directions

TA11 6NZ

Compton Dundon sits either side of the B3151 with most of the village to the west. This area is called Dundon and where Cooks Farm is located. The easiest way to find the property is to go south through the village towards Somerton and after passing the Pet Food Store take the next right turn which is Peak Lane. Cooks Farm is the fourth house on the left about half a mile along this little lane.



Viewing by appointment only.



In accordance with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 the information provided by Lodestone in these property details are to the best of their knowledge and are as accurate as possible.Please note that all areas, measurements and distances in these details are approximate and the text, photos and floor plans are for general guidance only. Prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves and Lodestone Property cannot guarantee any matters relating to planning permission. No fixtures, fittings or apparatus has been tested and any furniture or fixings not itemised in these particulars may be removed by the vendors.



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